Ali’s Holistics training is not accredited with any association.
This does not mean that you will not be properly trained. Ali’s Holistic courses have been recognised and approved by The Federation Of Holistic Therapists.
This means that the course and training have been looked at and achieves the standard for FHT to approve the qualification, certificate and to get insurance.
Why the FHT?
I qualified as a holistic therapist back in 2000. I trained for 2 years and in those 2 years of being a student I was introduced to The Federation of Holistic Therapists, joined as a student member and once qualified I upgraded my membership and have continued my membership in all that time. I am now registered as a Fellow.
As well as supporting their members with advances in their trained field, they keep us up to date with new information so we continue to work with the highest professional standards and code of ethics. With the FHT you also added to their Register so that the public can be reassured with their booking with you that they are booking with a fully professionally trained and insured therapist and that you meet a certain standard.
The FHT is a widely respected voice in the holistic and natural health care field. It works alongside many organisations and departments and often campaigns on behalf of its members to be recognised in their field.
FHT has members worldwide and annually holds it’s online Conference with renowned speakers. It also celebrates therapists and tutors with their annual Excellence Awards. It offers a regular publication called The International Therapist that is posted out to all members with interesting and up-to-date articles. The FHT offer its members a network of Local Support groups to offer support and networking connections. These are run by therapists for therapists.
The Federation Of Holistic Therapists offer many benefits of being a member of their association and I for one am very grateful for my membership as a therapist but also as a tutor and school that is recognised by the FHT.
Choosing the right massage couch can be a minefield. Your couch could be with you for years to come so it is important to choose one you are happy to work with. As a massage school, we are often asked this question by our students, so i have put together a guide to help you with what to consider when purchasing a couch.
Here are some tips and points to help you choose your couch.
Weight of couch
Do you work mobile or from home? Or will your couch be set up permanently in one place? If you need to carry your couch around or pack it away at the end of the day, you will need to select a couch that is not too heavy, or bulky, to move around. The metal frame couches tend to be lighter than the wooden ones.
If you are mobile, you can buy couch carriers with wheels to help, however, do consider having to climb flights of stairs as you will need to carry the couch up and down them.
Height adjustable
Will you be the only person using the couch? It is important to use the couch at the correct working height for you. If you choose a height adjustable couch you will be able to set the couch at the best height for your height.
The massage couch should tell you what height it is suitable for. Also, if you are short, like me, you need to consider the width of the couch too, as you may struggle to reach over the couch.
As a rule of thumb, to check the height of the couch is right for you – stand at the side of the couch, with your hand clenched into a fist and arms down at the side of your body. If your fist touches the couch without your arm bending, this is the best height for you.
If you are tall, and you are worried about your clients, getting on and off the couch, you can provide a step which can be tucked under the couch when not needed.
Back rest
Do any of your treatments involve clients being sat up? Many of the couches will have back rests that are adjustable, or they can be laid flat for body massages. Be careful that the hinges of the back rest is sturdy. Raising the back of the couch is ideal for treatments such as reflexology, sports massages on fronts of legs, some beauty treatments. Consider this for future even if you don’t think you will need it now, you may add on a new treatment at a later date and then wish you had bought a couch with a back rest.
Width of couch
What will the rough size of your client be? i.e., if you are working with hefty muscular sports clients, you will need a wider couch, and consider a longer couch if you have extra tall clients too.
If your couch is too narrow, you will struggle with being able to offer arm massages, for instance, as they will not be able to rest their arms beside them, and you would need to support the weight of their arm and massage them whilst supporting them.
Some couches are tapered which may work better for your and the treatment you are offering. Also, easier if you are on the short side, with shorter arm reach.
Don’t forget, your clients will come in all shapes and sizes, so you need to ensure they are comfortable and at ease during their treatment. This is also a good time to mention that couches may come with a weight limit too. You want your clients to come back for more treatments, so their comfort is of your upmost importance.
Price
A couch needs to be affordable to you, however, you also need to consider how often you will be using the couch. Think about investing in a good couch now, and you wont need to replace it at a later date.
Couches can range from £50 up to £1000+, so look at the price range that is affordable for you.A hydraulic couch will be more expensive than a portable couch.
Your massage couch is your tool, it will become an extension of you and your treatment. You may have amazing massage techniques, but if your couch creaks and groans every time you effleurage, your client wont be able to relax, and nor will you.
Comfort
Another point to consider, is to look at the depth of the cushioning on the top of the couch. The deeper the cushioning, the more comfortable the couch would be and luxurious your treatment will feel.
Face hole / Head cradle
For treatments where the client will be laid face down, they are going to need to breath, so a face hole is required. This will be a cut out hole in the couch, with usually a cut out piece to place in it when not needed. This will be far more comfortable for the client. Some couches come with a removable head cradle too, this can be more comfortable than a face hole, and also lengthens the couch, ideal for taller clients.
More tips
So, you have chosen your couch, now here are some extra tips to enhance your treatments and the comfort of your client.
* Bolsters under the ankles when face down, and knees when face up will be more comfortable for the client. A bolster can also be a rolled up towel, cushion or pillow.
* Couch covering – You can buy plastic covers for beauty treatments such as waxing, to protect spillages on the couch. Couch roll is disposable and will save on washing towels, but can be a little clinical for relaxation massages. A couch cover will protect your couch, but you will need to cover it in couch roll or towels for each client. Sarongs, and sheets are also a possibility, but remember, any fabric that comes into contact with the clients skin will need to be washed for every client.
* Step stool – A step stool tucked under the couch can be used for clients on the shorter side, or with a medical condition, such as a hip problem, to help them to get onto and off of the couch with ease.
* Hygiene – Even thought your couch will be covered for every client, it is still important to clean it, and this can be done with an antibacterial solution.
* Warmth – A heated blanket can be used for extra warmth of your client, but be mindful of PAT testing, and regular checks in line with health & Safety legislation. Also, a nice fluffy blanket can be placed over the client for extra warmth, but you would still need a towel or sheet between the blanket and the clients skin, or you will have to wash the blanket after each client. (Massage is also a form of desquamation, so think of all the skin cells that are shed during a treatment!)
Do you get days where another client has cancelled less than 24 hours or worse still, not showed up at all? Arrrrrgh! Wtf. It can leave you annoyed, angry, stressed, fed-up, disheartened, self-doubt and worried. It is not what you want or need in your business.
So what can you do to stop or minimalise this from happening?
Clients will cancel especially if they or their children are ill, or life happens. But, you need to have things in place so that you are your business do not lose out but also that your clients value you.
Your skills, time and business
This might be a new idea to you, you might even be very unsure of asking for this…..a deposit when they book. This shows that you value your time and skills and the client values you and what you do. Do you have a cancellation policy in place and do you enforce it? Have this cancellation policy on your website and in your marketing/brochures. Less than 24/48 hours’ notice and they lose their deposit (unless of course a real emergency which they rebook straight away or earliest allows) Then if they do cancel you will not be out of pocket. If you do not take a deposit and you get a late cancellation or no show do you enforce your policy? Do you invoice them? Most regular clients will happily reimburse you, if they don’t do you want to rebook, do you want them are your client, are they your ideal client?
Don’t focus on that cancellation
How much do you want or need to earn this week/month? How many clients do you need? How many clients and appointments do you have in your diary already booked in? In the time that has become available use that to market your business – can you send any texts or social media posts out about availability? What marketing can you do to bring clients in? Look at the bigger picture of your business, don’t keep it small looking at the next client, see what you have coming up, so these cancellations don’t really affect you. This is not really the time to slouch off and eat chocolate while watching tv!
Client referrals and incentives
Do you have a client referral system set up? Are you asking your clients for referrals? Is word of mouth working, if not can you do anything different? Offer an incentive that if they pay for 4 appointments they get the 5th for free. They then have already paid for their appointments up front and you know they will be attending (or have the money if they make a late cancellation) This is great for credit card payments or bank transfers as this makes it easier for the client and you know that you have earned money for the next few months. It means you do not have to stress so much and you may find that more people book this way for convenience.
Membership
Have you considered or thought of a way to create a membership such as a VIP where your client pays a monthly standing order directly into your account which guarantees them a monthly appointment and special VIP packages. More and more therapists, salons and clinics are creating these – not just spa’s! Do a research and brain storm. Be different and stand out from others in your area.
Don’t panic or have a melt-down!
I know it’s really hard. The more you dwell on this, the worse you feel. That client obviously does not value you or what you provide. They are not your ideal client. As before, use this time to create some awesome marketing by using testimonials from clients that do value you, show you are the expert and why people should book with you.
Don’t take it personally like an unsubscribe from your newsletter, it just happens, but change the way you handle it, don’t let it affect you or your therapy business.
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